Governor undertakes reconnaissance of Shri Amarnathji Yatra route
Takes stock of status of track from Pahalgam to Holy Cave

Srinagar May 6 – The Governor, Shri N. N. Vohra, today undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the route to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji via the Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Panchtarni axis, to assess the present status of snow-melt and the likely time which would be required for putting in place all the requisite facilities on the ground and, on this basis, assessing a viable date for the commencement of this year’s Yatra.

	Governor, Shri N. N. Vohra during visit to route to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji at Pahalgam-Chandanwari area.

The Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), undertook an extensive aerial survey, by helicopter, of the track from Pahalgam to the Holy Cave. It was observed that while the road between Pahalgam and Chandanwari is operational, the entire track beyond Chandanwari is presently buried under heavy snow. All the areas adjoining the Holy Cave, Panchtarni, Sheshnag, Mahagunas Top, Pissu Top and Posh Pathri are also under a thick snow cover and the Sheshnag lake is frozen.

Later, the Governor landed at Pahalgam and traveled by road on the Pahalgam-Chandanwari stretch (13 Kms) to get a first hand idea of the present status of the facilities in the Pahalgam and Chandanwari sectors. He also interacted with the District Officers and received suggestions regarding the additional facilities required for the smooth conduct of the Yatra. While taking stock of the pace of the on-going work on the widening and repair of Pahalgam-Chandanwari road, he directed the PWD authorities to expedite completion of all remaining works in a time bound manner.

As a part of the continuing exercise to establish a reliable basis for the date of commencement of this year’s Yatra, the Governor was scheduled to visit Baltal area yesterday but had to call off his tour in view of the heavy rain and poor visibility. Other things being equal the Governor is likely to undertake an aerial survey and ground assessment of the Baltal axis on 8th May. It is envisaged that, based on consultations with all concerned, the commencement of the Yatra would be determined in the next week.

The Governor was accompanied by Sh. B. B. Vyas, his Principal Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, and Sh. H. L. Maini, Technical Consultant, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.